THE SCOOP Centre Island is one of the smallest of the 64 villages in Nassau County. Accessible by one road from Bayville, the claw-shaped peninsula is bordered by Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound.

Most homes, about 75 percent, are on the water, Elliott says. While many are not visible from the road, they can be seen by boat, Trautmann says.

LI houses with a wow factor
Newsday LI Homes editor Valerie Kellogg appeared on News 12 on Tuesday and showed a Lattingtown estate with a New Suffolk lakeside home that features a regulation-size racquetball court. News 12 video (July 2, 2013)

"There are amazing houses. They are well kept and well manicured," she says. The average property is about three acres, Elliott says, noting many have a pool and tennis court. Architectural styles are diverse, ranging from Mediterranean and Contemporary to traditional brick manor.

In the center of the peninsula is a section of cottages, built in the early 1900s for the staff of the wealthy, which sell fast when they come on the market, Trautmann says.

Speaking of wealthy, Billy Joel owns a house on Centre Island, and in 2009 Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reportedly rented Rupert Murdoch's estate while Jolie was filming scenes for the movie "Salt."

West Shore Road, one of two access routes into Bayville and Centre Island, recently reopened after sustaining damage from superstorm Sandy.

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SALES PRICE From June 1, 2012, to June 25, 2013, there were six sales with a median price of $1,481,944, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $456,500, and the high was $7,900,000. From June 1, 2011, to June 25, 2012, there were five sales. The median price was $2,200,000. The low price was $825,000, and the high was $9,100,000.